Michigan 4-H helps youth prepare and pay for college
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With a commitment to preparing Michigan’s children and youth for the future, Michigan State University (MSU) Extension places a heavy emphasis on postsecondary education. Through both precollege programs that prepare students for college success and an array of financial scholarships that make college more affordable, MSU Extension is helping youth to prepare and pay for college for those planning to attend post-secondary education after high school.
Through its flagship youth development program, Michigan 4-H, MSU Extension provides a number of precollege programs to Michigan youth. These include opportunities such as 4-H Exploration Days, 4-H Great Lakes and Natural Resources Camp, 4-H Animal and Veterinary Science Camp, World Food Prize Michigan Youth Institute and 4-H Capitol Experience. Through their participation in these programs, youth are encouraged to attend postsecondary education as they receive real-life college experiences and explore potential career choices.
To help with the postsecondary education costs, Michigan 4-H’ers who participate in those 4-H precollege programs and are in grades eight through eleven are eligible to compete for the MSU Precollege Program scholarships each year. Valued at $2,000, the scholarship is applied to the recipient’s first year as a degree-seeking student at MSU.
Michigan 4-H’ers who attend MSU are also eligible to compete for the MSU 4-H Scholarship, which honors 4-H’ers for their outstanding high school academic performance and involvement in the 4-H program. The MSU 4-H Scholarship is worth $2,500 each year for four consecutive years. Beneficiaries of the award must have been involved with 4-H at the county, regional, state, national or international level, and demonstrate outstanding achievements through 4-H, their academic classwork, and their community involvement. Applications for current Michigan 4-H Youth Development scholarships are available online and due November 1 each year.
In addition to the Michigan MSU 4-H Scholarship, there are also a number of other 4-H scholarships offered to youth. The Michigan 4-H Rabbit/Cavy Scholarship is for $500 and up to four are awarded each year. The Michigan 4-H Foundation also offers scholarships to youth that attend MSU and uses the same application as the Michigan 4-H Scholarship.
Many local county 4-H councils or local 4-H programs may also have local scholarship opportunities for seniors looking to help cover the cost to attend higher education. Contact your local MSU Extension office for more information regarding local scholarships.
If you are looking to establish a 4-H scholarship either locally or at the state level, please feel free to reach out to the director of the Michigan 4-H Foundation or director of the Michigan 4-H Youth Development Programs.
